THE Victorian government’s announcement on Tuesday that it will exit native forest logging in 2024, six years ahead of what it had previously planned, is a major win for the climate and economy, leading forestry ecology researcher Prof David Lindenmayer. 

“This early exit is good, not only for forests and threatened species but also for the economy and the climate,” said Prof Lindenmayer, one of the world’s most highly-cited researchers on forests.

“The decision shows that the Victorian government is serious about climate change, with the cessation of logging equivalent to preventing emissions from 730,000 cars every year.

“This decision means Victoria and Australia have a far greater chance of meeting their emissions reductions targets.”

The ANU professor said the decision would help create new jobs.

“A rapid and well-managed transition out of native forest logging will be jobs positive,” he said.

“A major workforce will be needed to build new tourism infrastructure, protect and then boost carbon stocks, tackle problems with exploding numbers of feral deer and develop elite fire-fighting crews to make rural communities safe.”